On 30 June 2021, Albania will put into circulation two new banknotes, in denominations of 1,000 lekes and 10,000 lekes. Both notes are part of a new series of banknotes being introduced between 2019 and 2022. The 10,000-leke note is a completely new denomination in the series and is twice the value of the ALL5,000 note, previously the country’s highest denomination in circulation. Demand for cash has been increasing as the economy expands and even more so since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 1,000-leke banknote
The primarily green polymer banknote includes the following designs and security features:
Front:
- Portrait of Pjetër Bogdani
- Text: “BANKA E SHQIPËRISË”, “NJË MIJË LEKË”, “PJETËR BOGDANI 1625-1689”
Back:
- Catholic Church situated in “Vau i Dejës” with the image of the work’s front “Çeta e profetëve” (Cuneus prophetarum)
- Symbol of Sun
Security features include:
- Changes colour when viewed at different angles.
- Watermark
- Geometric, tactile elements to help the blind distinguish denominations.
- A hidden image (of the note’s face value) that is visible when the surface of the note is held horizontally against a light source.
- Microtext
10,000-leke banknote
The primarily red polymer banknote includes the following designs and security features:
Front:
- Portrait of Aleksandër Stavre Drenova (also known as Asdreni), the author of Albania’s national anthem.
- Text: “BANKA E SHQIPËRISË”, “DHJETË MIJË LEKË”; “ASDRENI (Aleksandër Stavre Drenova) 1872 – 1947”
Back:
- Figurative symbols of national flag
- Verse from the national anthem: “Rreth flamurit të përbashkuar me një dëshir’ e një qëllim”.
Security features:
- Changes colour when viewed at different angles.
- Geometric, tactile elements to help the blind distinguish denominations.
- Hologram
- Microtext
- A hidden image (of the note’s face value) that is visible when the surface of the note is held horizontally against a light source.
For additional details, see the Bank of Albania website.
Sources:
Bank of Albania
bne IntelliNews
Albanian Daily News
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